AD | Collaborative post
Family holidays, especially with younger children, can take a lot of planning and you want to get it right. There are lots of things to consider from location to activities that are suitable for the whole family. If you haven’t already considered it, here are some great reasons why you should make Cornwall your next family holiday destination.
Family friendly accommodation
As a family one of the things to think about first is where you would like to stay and the kind of accommodation you need. It’s important to find somewhere that meets the needs of your family and this can sometimes mean trying to find a home away from home, instead of the likes of a hotel or caravan.
Be sure to consider renting somewhere for your stay. Classic Cottages offer a large range of options that would be great for families covering many areas in Cornwall. Properties might be sea view cottages, be near the beach, or have stunning views of places such as St. Michael’s Mount. You can be sure that these properties will feel like home during your stay, with features such as separate bedrooms for you and the children, living areas and fully equipped kitchens so that you can cook family meals (if you want to). There’s no need to be cramped into a small hotel room when you visit Cornwall!
Beautiful beaches
I’m not sure you can think of Cornwall without imagining yourself on one of the many beautiful beaches it has to offer. Of course, if you’re travelling with younger children then you’ll definitely want to take the buckets and spades with you but there is so much more to do on a Cornwall beach.
Some beaches have great hotels within walking distance, such as the Esplanade Hotel in Newquay. You might be lucky enough to get a beach view room and watch what’s going on from your room in the morning. Staying somewhere like this means not having to cart loads of stuff to and from the beach each day too.
Water sports are hugely popular in Cornwall and depending on the age of your children, you might want to sign up to a surfing class during your stay or try paddle boarding for the first time. Children will love putting on a wetsuit and getting in the water and of course, doing it as a family makes it so much more fun.
If you’re not local to the coast then you may have never tried crabbing before. There are some great locations in Cornwall to give this a go such as Mullian Cove, Looe or Padstow and Port Issac. Grab yourself a bucket, line and some bait and read up on these tips before giving it a go.
Outdoor adventures
It’s always exciting to discover somewhere new for the first time or maybe find somewhere unexpected in a place you’ve been to a few times already. Cornwall is fantastic if you want to get outdoors with the family and go on an adventure.
Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle, in North Cornwall, is a great an adventure for families with older children. As it’s situated on rocky clifftops there is a lot of uneven surfaces, steep slopes and drops it’s not an easy place to visit but one that will give you incredible views. Tintagel Castle is also linked to King Arthur so there’s loads of history to take in there as well.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Up until 30 years ago The Lost Gardens of Heligan hadn’t been seen for a very long time. When a secret door was found this led to the restoration and opening it up to the public. Here, you can explore over 200 acres of gardens and the estate, with areas such as the jungle, pleasure grounds and discover iconic sculptures The Giant’s Head, Mudmaid and Grey Lady in the woodland.
Family friendly days out
There are so many family friendly days out in Cornwall and there are plenty of attractions suitable for everyone.
Theme parks
Cornwall isn’t the first place I’d think of when it comes to visiting a theme park but there are a couple that you could visit including Flambards (Nr Helston) and Camel Creek Adventure Park (Wadebridge). At each location there are rides for thrill seekers but also rides on the calmer side for younger/ smaller children. On a nice day you could enjoy a picnic lunch or treat yourself at one of the hot food options.
Animal attractions
Usually, a trip to somewhere with animals can be a safe bet when it comes to having a day out with children. Newquay Zoo covers 13 acres with areas such as the African Savannah and Gems of the Jungle, along with beautiful gardens and outdoor play areas, there’s something for all ages. Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary is another great choice if you fancy a day out with the animals.
At Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay you will find over 40 naturally-themed habitats including an underwater tunnel. You can discover the colourful corals, see Black Tip Reef Sharks and be amazed at the Giant Pacific Octopus. You can pick up a souvenir at the Blue Reef gift shop or have some lunch at the Blue Reef Cafe too.
Stunning views
Cornwall has some pretty well known locations for giving amazing views. Whether it be a view of the beautiful coast, villages and towns or historic buildings there is something exciting for everyone to see.
Headland Hotel
As a child, I grew up watching the film of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ and from Fistral beach in Newquay you can see the Headland Hotel, which is now a 5 star luxury hotel. If you’re staying elsewhere you can always walk around the area and look out to the amazing views of the sea and Fistral Beach.
Land’s End signpost
Maybe one of the most famous things to see while holidaying in Cornwall is the Land’s End signpost, which was put up by a local family-run business in the 1950s. Over the years many people have made the long journey from John O‘Groats in Scotland. Here, you can ask for one part of the sign to be changed to your hometown and how far away it is and have pictures taken!
St Michael’s Mount
From Marazion beach you can take in views of St Michael’s Mount. Depending on the tide times you may need to catch a boat to get across to the island but during low tide you can walk across as the island is connected to the mainland by an ancient, cobbled causeway. St Michael’s Mount is quite an uneven space so care should be taken with small children and baby carriers should be considered in place of pushchairs.
Do you have any tips for visiting Cornwall as a family?
